Jr. high splits Seymour games

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs football teams split their games against Seymour on Thursday, Sept. 8, with the seventh grade winning 24-0 and the eighth grade losing 14-6.

The Cubs make their first road trip of the season on Thursday, Sept. 15 (today) when they visit Hawley. The seventh grade game will start at 4:00 p.m. with the eighth grade to follow.

Seventh Grade

Bennett Neece scored twice, capping long drives, and Clay Chapman added a touchdown as the seventh grade Cubs improved to 2-0.

Albany gained 199 total yards, 188 of it rushing. Chapman rushed for 77 yards and completed two of three passes for 11 yards. Jakobi Word, who ran for a pair of two-point conversions, added 59 yards, and Neece finished with 52. Neece and Aiden Vickers each caught a pass.

“Offensively, I thought all three backs ran well,” coach David Fairchild said.

Fairchild said the offensive line of Hunter Sutton, Ryder Smith, Senio Togia, Cash Edgar, Cole Richards, and tight end Graham Ceder played well.

“I’m very proud of Hunter on his shotgun snaps,” the coach said. “That’s something he really has been working on. The offensive line has been getting better each week.”

Seymour gained 148 total yards, 78 of which came on three plays.

“Defensively, I was very pleased with our effort,” Fairchild said. “Chapman, Neece, Edgar, Ceder, and Word had good games. Togia and Smith had good games up front.

Albany punted on its first possession, but went 74 yards in 11 plays on the next drive. Neece scored on a 4-yard run with 19 seconds left in the half.

Albany took the second-half kickoff and drove 69 yards in 10 plays. Neece scored from a yard out on the second play of the fourth quarter.

Chapman scored the final touchdown on a 31-yard run, then passed to Slayten Kelly for the conversion.

Eighth Grade

The Cubs suffered a frustrating loss punctuated by missed opportunities.

Albany had drives reach the Seymour 7, 4, and 11 only to end on downs.

“There were lots of places we had mistakes, and when you play a pretty good team, those will cost you,” coach Ryder Peacock said. “We had some tough breaks that set them up to score or cost us the ability to score. It’s a tough way to learn, but maybe it will stick longer once you’ve done it.”

Despite being outgained 160-96 in total yards, the Cubs only trailed 8-0 until a muffed punt set up the Panthers for a 22-yard drive late in the third quarter.

Albany immediately got back in the game as Jack Nail ran for a 51-yard score on the first play after the kickoff.

Nail finished with 74 rushing yards with Shawn Keen adding 27. Wesley Gleitz completed one of two passes for 11 yards. Connor Smith had the reception.

Seymour was 10 of 12 passing for 166 yards, but finished with negative rushing yards.

Defensively, I thought we played really well,” Peacock said. “Jack Nail did a good job at safety, and Britton Farmer had several good plays. If they continue to play defensively like they did, they’re going to win a lot of games.”